Cyber Security

Billions of people were affected by data breaches and cyberattacks in 2018 with losses surpassing tens of millions of dollars, according to global digital security firm Positive Technologies. The sheer volume of major companies – Marriott, Dunkin’, Under Armour, among others – hit by data breaches indicate incidents are on the rise.

In today’s business climate, cybercriminals aggressively target not only large companies but also small businesses with ever-increasingly sophisticated attacks. Spoofed emails, malicious software and online social networks to obtain login credentials to businesses’ accounts, transfer funds from the accounts and steal private information are on the rise.

As cyber criminals get craftier, individuals need to arm themselves with facts on identity theft and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

Mobile phones and social media are the new frontier -- Fraudsters are expected to introduce as many as 1,000 different phone/social media scams this year, according to one expert. In fact, a social media identity may be more valuable to cyber criminals than credit cards since it offers them the opportunity to manipulate friends. Safety tip: Keep smart phone operating systems up-to-date. Use passwords to gain access to your phone and install apps that enable remote deletion of phone data if it is lost or stolen.

Internal Revenue Service sign with a traffic signal in the foreground indicating a red light.

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry today renewed their warning about an email scam that uses a corporate officer’s name to request employee Forms W-2 from company payroll or human resources departments.

Think you got an email from a business you know? Scammers sometimes use emails that look legit to trick you into sending money to them. The email might say it’s from a real estate professional you’re working with, telling you there’s a last-minute change and you should now wire your closing costs to a different account. Or it could seem to be an email – with an invoice – from your utility company, telling you to wire payment. Whatever the story, if you wire that money, it goes to the scammer – and you may never see your money again. These scammers might get your information by hacking into a business. Once they know about you, they send an email that seems to come from the business, telling you where to send money. So, how can you spot these scams?

Small businesses are frequent targets of criminal attacks and hostile threats to systems, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Owners face serious challenges in protecting their business information, as well as safeguarding their clients and employees privacy. As small businesses become increasingly dependent on online tools for day-to-day operations, protecting confidential information in cyberspace is crucial.

Cybercriminals target small businesses with sophisticated attacks. Criminals use spoofed emails, malicious software and online social networks to obtain login credentials to businesses’ accounts, transfer funds from the accounts and steal private information.

Did you know, community banks adhere to rigorous laws, regulations, guidance, and voluntary frameworks to safeguard client information, according to the Independent Community Bankers Association. In a statement for a Small Business Committee hearing on small-business cybersecurity, ICBA said Congress and the federal banking agencies should recognize community banks’ flexible approach to cybersecurity and preserve this approach in any new laws or regulations.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warns to never give sensitive information to anyone unless you are sure they are, who they claim to be and that they should have access to the information. It’s every business owner’s worst fear that they could be the next target.

Courtesy of CYBERHEISTNEWS
There is a new spin on an existing phishing scam you need to be aware of. Bad guys are doing research on you personally using social media and find out where and when you (might) travel for business. Next, they craft an email especially for you with an airline reservation or receipt that looks just like the real thing, sent with a spoofed "From" email address that also looks legit.

While large firms may have sophisticated technology and staff dedicated to thwarting crime, many small businesses don't — and scammers know this. Here are ways to protect yourself:

Be on guard against inside jobs. This includes employee theft or misuse of cash, merchandise or equipment as well as fraud. "Minimize risks through steps such as pre-employment background checks, automated inventory tracking systems, audits, and clearly outlined policies for personal use of computers and other business equipment," said Luke W. Reynolds, Chief of the FDIC's Outreach and Program Development Section. "Also, carefully select who handles revenue from customers, pays the bills and reviews account statements. And, ensure that there are procedures in place to detect and deter fraud."

Dependent as we are on computers and mobile devices, it’s no surprise that cyber criminals are getting craftier developing new scams aimed at getting more people to give them more of their money. The following are important trends to be aware of to keep fraudsters from separating you and your money.